Latvia's Under Secretary of State in the Ministry of Transport Kaspars Ozolins has led a delegation of top transport and logistics companies to the ports of Hamburg and Lubeck to drum up more business for the nation's top container ports.
During the visit, Mr Ozolins and port of Hamburg Marketing (HHM) CEO Ingo Egloff signed a memorandum of understanding, aiming to strengthen and expand cooperation between the Latvian ports of Riga, Ventspils and Liepaja and those in the Hamburg metropolitan area.
In the memorandum the partners agreed to a more intensive exchange of data and experience; joint drafting and implementation of international cooperation projects; and further cooperation in developing intermodal transport services between Europe and Asia, an official release said.
"Latvia and Germany are already partners but further scope still exists for improved and stronger cooperation with the most significant regions and areas of the economy. We are delighted to have given the starting signal today for a close partnership with Germany's largest seaport," said Mr Ozolins.
Said Mr Egloff: "Trade and shipping have linked Hamburg and Latvia since the days of the Hanseatic League. That is all the more reason for us to pool resources to demonstrate our close alliance on the global stage."
For northern European ports, the Baltic region is a very attractive market, with strong competition for cargo and shipments. Good infrastructure links with the port of Lubeck also offers optimal solutions for trailer and ferry services to and from Latvia. The two ports are both keen to further expand existing good relations with the country.
In 2018 seaborne container throughput between the port of Hamburg and Latvia reached a total of 100,175 TEU. The three Latvian ports of Riga, Ventspils and Liepaja handled a total of 66 million tons of cargo last year, making them the market leaders in the Baltic region.